A volcanic eruption occurred in southwestern Iceland, near Grindavik
A volcanic eruption occurred in southwestern Iceland, near Grindavik, sending flashes of light into the sky and ejecting semi-molten rock. The eruption, about 2.5 miles from Grindavik, followed a November evacuation due to seismic activity. While the eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula isn’t expected to release significant ash, it continues to draw attention. The nearby Blue Lagoon spa was temporarily closed due to earlier earthquakes. The eruption is gradually diminishing, with lava fountains now much smaller. Authorities monitor the situation closely, and tourists must follow safety guidelines as the eruption could change rapidly. Photograph: Marco di Marco/AP
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Ryoko, a pocket-size wireless modem
Ryoko is a game-changer for anyone needing reliable internet on the go. This compact, pocket-sized wireless modem creates a personal Wi-Fi network using 4G LTE, ensuring a stable and fast connection wherever you are. It’s especially ideal for travellers, remote workers, or those weary of unreliable public Wi-Fi in cafés or hotels. The device is incredibly easy to use—just turn it on, and you’re connected with no complicated setup or contracts. Its small size makes it convenient to carry easily into a pocket. The battery lasts up to 15 hours, making it perfect for long days away from home. It supports up to 10 devices simultaneously, allowing multiple people to share the connection, making it an excellent choice for families or small teams. With speeds up to 150 Mbps, users can stream HD content, download files quickly, and even make Skype calls without interruption. Ryoko eliminates high roaming charges and the security risks of public Wi-Fi. Whether in a remote location or needing a reliable internet connection at home, Ryoko ensures you’re always connected, secure, and productive. It’s a must-have for anyone on the move. To buy online, visit Ryoko Router.
“It takes time to make a champion”: Robert Brozin to Gen Z
If Nando’s has one apt descriptor, it’s this: it’s changed the way people think about chicken. And this comes from none other than its co-founder Robert (Robbie) Brozin who wrote a note on LinkedIn nine years back. As son of a businessman, Brozin could take the comfort route of staying on in his father’s business but chose an entrepreneurial path instead. The rest is history, as they say. Nando’s welcomed its co-founder and brand champion, Robbie Brozin, for an exclusive media meet-up at the Salwa Road Casa (Home in Portuguese) — the first Nando’s to open in May 2001, now celebrating over 23 years of serving their world-famous PERi-PERi chicken in Qatar and we caught up with Brozin for a casual chat. Here’s what he had to say! Q: Why did you choose entrepreneurship over your dad’s business? Brozin: Entrepreneurship came quite naturally to me…and the Industry my father was in, was taking some strain, with consolidation happening and I felt uncomfortable in it. Q: With over 1,000 Nando’s restaurants worldwide, what are three lessons that apply across sectors? Brozin:1. Find the right local partner who understands the Region you are operating in;2. Keep the fundamentals of the menu the same, but localize the side items and add some local dishes;3. Keep the values and the purpose high on the agenda , never mind the country or region you are operating in. Q: If given a chance, what would you do differently? Brozin: Have a deeper respect for the “Suits” the finance people. In the early days we never listened to them enough. Q: One piece of advice for Gen Z. Brozin: It takes time to make a champion. Q: If you could time travel, where would you go and why? Brozin: To the year 2030…we’ve got an exiting five-year plan, and I’d like to see how it holds out, while I’m still young enough to appreciate and change a few things.
From a board role to a CEO: Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch’s seemingly effortless transition
Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO, Sidra Medicine is no stranger to the world of decision-making while being a medical professional. In a candid conversation, Dr Tinubu-Karch talks about the transition to a CEO and the values it demanded inculcated in her, apart from the role technology plays in diagnostics today. “Technology is the cornerstone of our ability to expand and enhance our clinical services, ensuring we provide exceptional care for women and children.“ “Stepping from the boardroom into the CEO role has been an incredible journey. While my board role focused on strategic oversight and high-level decisions, my current position has immersed me in the daily operations of Sidra Medicine. This deeper involvement has provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities we face, which allows me to ensure our teams have the necessary resources to excel in patient care, research, and education,” says Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO, Sidra Medicine. One of the biggest shifts for Dr Tinubu-Karch has been getting to know the people on a deeper level. Witnessing their commitment firsthand is truly inspiring and reinforces her responsibility to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, according to Dr Tinubu-Karch, who actively seeks input from diverse perspectives within the organisation, believing as she does that this collective wisdom leads to more informed and effective decision-making. “Healthcare is a dynamic field. As CEO, I need to make sure that we as an institution are agile and adaptable. This means being committed to nurturing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. By embracing change and fostering a growth mindset, we can ensure that Sidra Medicine remains at the forefront of women’s and children’s healthcare,” informs Dr Tinubu-Karch. On the role that technology plays in advancing clinical care at Sidra Medicine, Dr Tinubu-Karch is forceful about Sidra Medicine’s commitment to embracing the latest technological advancements based as it is on the belief that advanced technology is essential for the institution to remain a leader in patient care, adding, “Technology is the cornerstone of our ability to expand and enhance our clinical services, ensuring we provide exceptional care for women and children.” Dr Tinubu-Karch adds that Sidra Medicine has become a regional pioneer in gene therapy, harnessing the power of technology to revolutionise treatment options for genetic diseases. Our administration of Elevidys for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and our unique position as the sole provider of gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Qatar exemplify this commitment. How has Dr Tinubu-Karch’s background in geriatric medicine shaped your approach to healthcare leadership? Dr Tinubu-Karch informs that her background in geriatric medicine has profoundly influenced her approach to healthcare leadership. She details, “In geriatrics, you learn to consider not only the immediate medical issues but also the broader context of a patient’s life – how their environment, family support, mental well-being, and social circumstances all influence their health. This perspective is essential for providing compassionate, effective care, and it informs how I lead a multidisciplinary team, with a collaborative agenda at a healthcare institution like Sidra Medicine.” Geriatric medicine, Dr Tinubu-Karch adds, emphasises long-term health and quality of life, not just treating immediate symptoms. “This philosophy is central to Sidra Medicine’s approach. We’re not only focused on acute interventions but also on providing sustainable, comprehensive care that supports the overall well-being of our patients and their families. My background has instilled in me a deep respect for the continuity of care, which we strive to deliver at every stage of a patient’s journey here,” says Dr Tinubu-Karch. Innovations in healthcare At Sidra Medicine, innovation is at the heart of our mission to provide exceptional care for children and women. Dr Tinubu-Karch talks about several ways in which Sidra Medicine is constantly striving to achieve new milestones and push the boundaries of healthcare through several key initiatives. One key area is our Clinical Trials Program, which focuses on trials directly benefiting children in the Arab region, informs Dr Tinubu-Karch. The trials could offer children the chance to receive beneficial treatment whether it is a new drug, therapy, device or procedure before it becomes widely available, she says, adding, “Our programme addresses the historical lack of research for the Arab population, enabling us to develop personalised and effective treatments.” In tandem, Sidra Medicine has also established the first pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) programme in Qatar, in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Additionally, our precision medicine initiatives leverage genomic data to personalise care plans, using advanced technologies such as Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to identify disease-linked genetic variations and Zebrafish Functional Genomics Facility for rapid gene mutation identification. We are strategically integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our operations to empower our patients and optimise our workflow. Global healthcare trends in women’s and children’s health
